--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 11-K
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
or
[_] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition Commission file
period from __ to ___ number 1-8607
BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan
BellSouth Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Table of Contents
Item Page
---- ----
1. Financial Statements
Report of Independent Accountants....................................... 2
Consent of Independent Accountants...................................... 3
Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information as of December 31, 1998.................................... 4
Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information as of December 31, 1997.................................... 6
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information for the Year ended December 31, 1998....................... 8
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information for the Year ended December 31, 1997....................... 10
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information for the Year ended December 31, 1996....................... 12
Notes to Financial Statements........................................... 14
2. Supplemental Schedule
Item 27a--Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes............... S-1
1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Participants and Administrator of
The BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan:
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for
benefits and the related statements of changes in net assets available for
benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available
for benefits of the BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan"), formerly
the BellSouth Management Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the changes in net assets available for
benefits for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management; our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule of Assets
Held for Investment Purposes is presented for the purpose of additional
analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is
supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and
Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. The fund information in the statements of net assets
available for benefits and the statements of changes in net assets available
for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to
present the net assets available for benefits and changes in net assets
available for benefits of each fund. This supplemental schedule and fund
information are the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental
schedule and fund information have been subjected to the auditing procedures
applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion,
are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
June 25, 1999
2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-38264) of BellSouth Corporation of our report
dated June 25, 1999 relating to the financial statements of the BellSouth
Retirement Savings Plan, formerly the BellSouth Management Savings and
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which appears in this Form 00-X.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxx XXX
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
June 25, 1999
3
BELLSOUTH RETIRE
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
December
(In Tho
Fidelity
BellSouth Indexed Interest Growth
Stock Stock Income Bond Balanced & Income
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Portfolio
ASSETS ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Allocated share of Trust
net assets............. $2,206,688 $1,105,530 $950,384 $119,953 $114,254 $179,926
Investment in BellSouth
Retirement Savings
Employee Stock
Ownership Plan Trust:
Shares of BellSouth
common stock allocated
to participants....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Shares of BellSouth
common stock held for
future allocation..... -- -- -- -- -- --
Temporary cash
investments........... -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Investments..... 2,206,688 1,105,530 950,384 119,953 114,254 179,926
Contributions
receivable............. 1,590 1,379 579 124 201 421
Fund, BellSouth Savings
and Security Plan and
other transfers
receivable--net........ 43,691 -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Assets.......... 2,251,969 1,106,909 950,963 120,077 114,455 180,347
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
LIABILITIES
Distributions payable... 543 151 178 7 23 36
Fund, BellSouth Savings
and Security Plan and
other transfers
payable--net........... -- 1,788 40,544 230 226 30
Notes payable........... -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities..... 543 1,939 40,722 237 249 66
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits............... $2,251,426 $1,104,970 $910,241 $119,840 $114,206 $180,281
========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integ
4
MENT SAVINGS PLAN
FOR BENEFITS WITH FUND INFORMATION
31, 1998
usands)
Vanguard
Index X. Xxxx DFA U.S. Employee Stock
Trust DFA U.S. Price Large Cap DFA Ownership Plan
Growth 6-10 Value Mid-Cap Value II International Participant ----------------------
Portfolio Portfolio II Growth Fund Value II Fund Loans Other Allocated Unallocated Total
--------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------- ----------- ------ ---------- ----------- ----------
$129,181 $67,832 $57,098 $30,967 $32,723 $59,503 $8,552 $ -- $ -- $5,062,591
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,257,725 -- 1,257,725
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 848,865 848,865
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4,962 13,726 18,688
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- -------- ----------
129,181 67,832 57,098 30,967 32,723 59,503 8,552 1,262,687 862,591 7,187,869
299 165 155 82 70 -- -- -- -- 5,065
-- 234 27 -- 100 69 -- -- -- 44,121
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- -------- ----------
129,480 68,231 57,280 31,049 32,893 59,572 8,552 1,262,687 862,591 7,237,055
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- -------- ----------
23 4 2 3 5 26 7,171 110 -- 8,282
83 -- -- 315 -- -- 1,381 34 -- 44,631
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 313,122 313,122
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- -------- ----------
106 4 2 318 5 26 8,552 144 313,122 366,035
-------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ---------- -------- ----------
$129,374 $68,227 $57,278 $30,731 $32,888 $59,546 $ -- $1,262,543 $549,469 $6,871,020
======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ====== ========== ======== ==========
ral part of these financial statements.
5
BELLSOUTH RETIRE
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
December
(In Tho
Fidelity
BellSouth Indexed Interest Growth
Stock Stock Income Bond Balanced & Income
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Portfolio
ASSETS ---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Allocated share of Trust
net assets............... $1,149,889 $1,040,749 $893,461 $109,987 $105,201 $160,583
Investment in BellSouth
Retirement Savings
Employee Stock Ownership
Plan Trust:
Shares of BellSouth
common stock allocated
to participants......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Shares of BellSouth
common stock held for
future allocation....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Temporary cash invest-
ments................... -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Investments....... 1,149,889 1,040,749 893,461 109,987 105,201 160,583
Contributions receivable.. 1,137 1,648 1,072 160 278 512
Fund, BellSouth Savings
and Security Plan and
other transfers
receivable--net.......... 4,753 -- 1,910 -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Assets............ 1,155,779 1,042,397 896,443 110,147 105,479 161,095
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
LIABILITIES
Distributions payable..... 294 304 441 15 60 17
Fund, BellSouth Savings
and Security Plan and
other transfers payable--
net...................... -- 1,397 -- 100 106 --
Notes payable............. -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities....... 294 1,701 441 115 166 17
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits................. $1,155,485 $1,040,696 $896,002 $110,032 $105,313 $161,078
========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integ
6
MENT SAVINGS PLAN
FOR BENEFITS WITH FUND INFORMATION
31, 1997
usands)
Vanguard
Index X. Xxxx DFA U.S. Employee Stock
Trust DFA U.S. Price Large Cap DFA Ownership Plan
Growth 6-10 Value Mid-Cap Value II International Participant ---------------------
Portfolio Portfolio II Growth Fund Value II Fund Loans Other Allocated Unallocated Total
--------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------- ----------- ------- --------- ----------- ----------
$46,140 $101,890 $40,806 $37,863 $31,881 $60,840 $14,234 $ -- $ -- $3,793,524
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 663,342 -- 663,342
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 570,293 570,293
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3,858 14,106 17,964
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
46,140 101,890 40,806 37,863 31,881 60,840 14,234 667,200 584,399 5,045,123
185 176 90 64 69 -- -- 4,711 -- 10,102
247 337 135 -- -- 88 -- -- -- 7,470
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
46,572 102,403 41,031 37,927 31,950 60,928 14,234 671,911 584,399 5,062,695
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
20 89 30 36 2 11 6,286 188 -- 7,793
-- -- -- 135 131 -- 7,948 147 -- 9,964
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 356,477 356,477
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
20 89 30 171 133 11 14,234 335 356,477 374,234
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ----------
$ 46,552 $102,314 $41,001 $37,756 $31,817 $60,917 $ -- $671,576 $227,922 $4,688,461
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ==========
ral part of these financial statements.
7
BELLSOUTH RETIRE
STATEMENT OF CHANGES
FOR BENEFITS WITH
Year Ended Dec
(In Tho
Fidelity
BellSouth Indexed Interest Growth
Stock Stock Income Bond Balanced & Income
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Portfolio
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1997...... $1,155,485 $1,040,696 $896,002 $110,032 $105,313 $161,078
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Employee contributions.. 38,881 49,196 31,162 5,207 7,731 15,368
Transfer of
participants'
balances--net.......... 195,300 (181,786) 17,034 4,693 (10,731) (27,030)
Employing company
contributions.......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Supplemental
contributions.......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Allocation of shares to
participants........... -- -- -- -- -- --
Transfer for loan
repayment.............. -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Contributions,
Allocations and
Transfers.............. 234,181 (132,590) 48,196 9,900 (3,000) (11,662)
Allocated share of Trust
investment activities.. 951,469 267,172 56,477 9,655 20,798 42,185
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Additions......... 1,185,650 134,582 104,673 19,555 17,798 30,523
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less:Distributions to
participants......... 89,709 70,308 90,434 9,747 8,905 11,320
Interest on notes
payable............ -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1998...... $2,251,426 $1,104,970 $910,241 $119,840 $114,206 $180,281
========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integ
8
MENT SAVINGS PLAN
IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
FUND INFORMATION
ember 31, 1998
usands)
Vanguard
Index X. Xxxx DFA U.S. Employee Stock
Trust DFA U.S. 6- Price Large Cap DFA Ownership Plan
Growth 10 Value Mid-Cap Value II International Participant -----------------------
Portfolio Portfolio II Growth Fund Value II Fund Loans Other Allocated Unallocated Total
--------- ------------ ------- --------- ------------- ----------- ----- ---------- ----------- ----------
$ 46,552 $102,314 $41,001 $37,756 $31,817 $60,917 $ -- $ 671,576 $ 227,922 $4,688,461
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------
8,531 7,440 5,285 3,321 3,026 -- -- -- -- 175,148
49,022 (31,294) 3,946 (11,553) (4,852) 35 (733) (11,693) -- (9,642)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 47,444 47,444
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 116,832 (116,832) --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- (12,910) 12,910 --
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------
57,553 (23,854) 9,231 (8,232) (1,826) 35 (733) 92,229 (56,478) 212,950
29,180 (5,649) 9,425 3,751 4,538 4,941 733 547,026 409,620 2,351,321
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------
86,733 (29,503) 18,656 (4,481) 2,712 4,976 -- 639,255 353,142 2,564,271
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------
3,911 4,584 2,379 2,544 1,641 6,347 -- 48,288 -- 350,117
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 31,595 31,595
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------
$129,374 $ 68,227 $57,278 $30,731 $32,888 $59,546 $ -- $1,262,543 $ 549,469 $6,871,020
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ========== ========= ==========
ral part of these financial statements.
9
BELLSOUTH RETIRE
STATEMENT OF CHANGES
FOR BENEFITS WITH
Year Ended Dec
(In Tho
Vanguard
Fidelity Index
BellSouth Indexed Interest Growth Trust
Stock Stock Income Bond Balanced & Income Growth
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Portfolio Portfolio
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1996...... $1,052,299 $ 761,227 $826,463 $119,638 $ 82,348 $ 56,617 $ --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Employee contributions.. 34,434 55,032 36,179 5,541 9,858 14,476 1,195
Transfer of
participants'
balances--net.......... (228,972) 39,775 82,261 (13,621) 3,014 67,796 44,262
Employing company
contributions.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Supplemental
contributions.......... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Allocation of shares to
participants........... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Transfer for loan
repayment.............. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total Contributions,
Allocations and
Transfers.............. (194,538) 94,807 118,440 (8,080) 12,872 82,272 45,457
Allocated share of Trust
investment activities.. 392,729 255,306 54,817 8,987 18,321 28,682 1,570
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total Additions......... 198,191 350,113 173,257 907 31,193 110,954 47,027
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Less: Distributions to
participants...... 95,005 70,644 103,718 10,513 8,228 6,493 475
Interest on notes
payable........... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1997...... $1,155,485 $1,040,696 $896,002 $110,032 $105,313 $161,078 $46,552
========== ========== ======== ======== ======== ======== =======
The accompanying notes are an integ
10
MENT SAVINGS PLAN
IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
FUND INFORMATION
ember 31, 1997
usands)
X. Xxxx DFA U.S. American Employee Stock
DFA U.S. Price Large Cap DFA Century/Twentieth Ownership Plan
6-10 Value Mid-Cap Value II International Xxxxxx Century Growth Participant ----------------------
Portfolio II Growth Fund Value II Fund 100 Fund Investors Fund Loans Other Allocated Unallocated
---------------- ------- --------- ------------- -------- ----------------- ----------- ------- --------- -----------
$ 40,004 $ -- $19,709 $28,022 $ 39,805 $ 15,099 $58,275 $ 230 $455,081 $ 93,129
------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
6,088 1,061 2,633 3,355 2,725 1,194 -- -- -- --
42,050 39,161 10,590 2,685 (46,616) (19,486) 1,464 (1,106) (14,367) --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7,224 --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 44,536
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 71,595 (71,595)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (11,878) 11,878
------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
48,138 40,222 13,223 6,040 (43,891) (18,292) 1,464 (1,106) 52,574 (15,181)
17,555 1,046 7,193 (503) 6,506 4,809 4,293 1,050 197,965 185,174
------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
65,693 41,268 20,416 5,537 (37,385) (13,483) 5,757 (56) 250,539 169,993
------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
3,383 267 2,369 1,742 2,420 1,616 3,115 174 34,044 --
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 35,200
------------ ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
$ 102,314 $41,001 $37,756 $31,817 $ -- $ -- $60,917 $ -- $671,576 $227,922
============ ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== ========
ral part of these financial statements.
Total
----------
$3,647,946
----------
173,771
8,890
7,224
44,536
--
--
----------
234,421
1,185,500
----------
1,419,921
----------
344,206
35,200
----------
$4,688,461
==========
11
BELLSOUTH RETIRE
STATEMENT OF CHANGES
FOR BENEFITS WITH
Year Ended Dec
(In Tho
Fidelity
BellSouth Indexed Interest Growth DFA U.S.
Stock Stock Income Bond Balanced & Income 6-10 Value
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Portfolio Portfolio II
---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ------------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1995...... $1,076,272 $490,665 $754,760 $124,036 $52,760 $ -- $12,576
---------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Employee contributions.. 46,536 56,662 48,145 8,141 12,487 3,952 1,486
Transfer-in of merged
plan assets--net....... 117,707 89,075 67,608 13,409 6,984 -- 2,796
Transfer of partici-
pants' balances--net... (91,381) 33,011 (19,131) (20,774) 6,627 50,569 18,305
Employing company con-
tributions............. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Supplemental contribu-
tions.................. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Allocation of shares to
participants........... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Transfer for loan repay-
ment................... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total Contributions,
Allocations and
Transfers.............. 72,862 178,748 96,622 776 26,098 54,521 22,587
Allocated share of Trust
investment activities.. (17,652) 133,869 48,774 4,826 9,048 3,140 5,395
---------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total Additions......... 55,210 312,617 145,396 5,602 35,146 57,661 27,982
---------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Less: Distributions to
participants........... 79,183 42,055 73,693 10,000 5,558 1,044 554
Interest on notes
payable.............. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Net Assets Available for
Benefits,
December 31, 1996...... $1,052,299 $761,227 $826,463 $119,638 $82,348 $56,617 $40,004
========== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integ
12
MENT SAVINGS PLAN
IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
FUND INFORMATION
ember 31, 1996
usands)
DFA U.S. DFA American Employee Stock
Large Cap International Xxxxxx Century/Twentieth Ownership Plan
Value II Value II 100 Century Growth Participant ----------------------
Fund Fund Fund Investors Fund Loans Other Allocated Unallocated Total
--------- ------------- ------- ----------------- ----------- ----- --------- ----------- ----------
$ 6,268 $13,851 $25,849 $ 9,970 $41,287 $-- $434,796 $161,553 $3,204,643
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- -------- -------- ----------
812 1,235 1,483 722 -- -- -- -- 181,661
616 2,839 4,544 1,423 7,561 -- -- -- 314,562
9,349 8,797 4,004 1,923 8,807 (64) -- -- 10,042
-- -- -- -- -- -- 6,518 -- 6,518
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 42,299 42,299
-- -- -- -- -- -- 58,923 (58,923) --
-- -- -- -- -- -- (10,405) 10,405 --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- -------- -------- ----------
10,777 12,871 10,031 4,068 16,368 (64) 55,036 (6,219) 555,082
2,966 1,760 5,170 1,544 2,284 306 (9,681) (23,852) 167,897
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- -------- -------- ----------
13,743 14,631 15,201 5,612 18,652 242 45,355 (30,071) 722,979
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- -------- -------- ----------
302 460 1,245 483 1,664 12 25,070 -- 241,323
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 38,353 38,353
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ---- -------- -------- ----------
$19,709 $28,022 $39,805 $15,099 $58,275 $230 $455,081 $ 93,129 $3,647,946
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ==== ======== ======== ==========
ral part of these financial statements.
13
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
1. Plan Description
General
The following description of the BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan (the
Plan), formerly the BellSouth Management Savings and Employee Stock Ownership
Plan, provides only general information. For additional information,
participants should refer to the Plan Prospectus/Summary Plan Description, as
supplemented (SPD). A copy of the SPD can be obtained by calling the BellSouth
Participant Service Center at 0-000-000-0000. In addition, copies of the Plan
agreement and other related documents which include details of the Plan can be
obtained by writing to: Secretary, BellSouth Savings Plan Committee,
Room 13C09, 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000.
The Plan was established by BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth) to provide a
convenient way for employees to save for their retirement on a long-term basis
and to acquire an ownership interest in BellSouth. The Plan consists of two
parts: one is a profit sharing plan which includes a qualified cash or
deferred arrangement and which is intended to qualify as such under Sections
401(a), 401(k) and 401(m) and related sections of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code); the second part is an employee stock ownership
plan (ESOP) which is designed as a stock bonus plan to invest primarily in
shares of BellSouth Common Stock and which is intended to qualify under
Sections 401(a), 401(m) and 4975(e)(7) and related sections of the Code. All
regular full-time and part-time employees of participating BellSouth companies
who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, have attained the
age of 21, and have completed at least six months of service are eligible to
participate. The Plan is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended.
Plan Merger, Amendment and Restatement
Prior to April 1, 1996, the Plan operated as the BellSouth Management
Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Effective April 1, 1996, the Plan
was renamed; at the same time, another BellSouth plan, the BellSouth
Enterprises Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), was merged with and into the Plan.
Participants of the former RSP became participants in the Plan on April 1,
1996. These participants were credited with beginning account balances in the
Plan which equaled their March 31, 1996 ending account balances within the
RSP. As a result, both participant account and investment activity which
occurred within the RSP prior to April 1, 1996 are excluded from the
accompanying financial statements.
Effective July 1, 1996, the Plan was amended and restated. Significant
changes included a change in investment valuation methods and changes to
various service functions provided by the Plan's recordkeeper and service
center provider. Subsequent amendments resulted in changes associated with the
withdrawal of funds by retired participants, the increments in which fund
transfers and investment directions may be processed, installment payment
flexibility and the liquidation of retired or terminated participant account
balances.
Master Trust
For investment purposes, the assets of the Plan are held in the BellSouth
Master Savings Trust (the Master Savings Trust). In addition, the Master
Savings Trust also holds all assets of the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan
(SSP). Prior to its merger with the Plan, assets of the RSP were also held by
the Master Savings Trust.
Investment Options
At December 31, 1998, the Plan's assets were comprised of the following
investment vehicles: BellSouth Stock Fund, Indexed Stock Fund, Interest Income
Fund, Bond Fund, Balanced Fund and the following mutual funds: Fidelity Growth
& Income Portfolio, Vanguard Index Trust Growth Portfolio, DFA U.S. 6-10 Value
Portfolio II, X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth, DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund
and DFA International Value II Fund. All investments are valued on a daily
basis.
14
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
1. Plan Description--(continued)
During 1997, the X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth and the Vanguard Index Trust
Growth Portfolio replaced the Xxxxxx 100 Fund and the American
Century/Twentieth Century Growth Investors Fund as investment options. All
participant balances in, and subsequent contributions to, the replaced funds
were reallocated according to participant direction or into the Interest
Income Fund in the absence of such direction.
Concentrations of Risk
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Plan's assets were significantly
concentrated in shares of BellSouth Common Stock, the value of which is
subject to fluctuations related to corporate, industry and economic factors.
The Plan's other investment options include a variety of stocks, bonds,
fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities.
Investment securities subject participants to various risks, such as interest
rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with
certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes
in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that
such changes could materially affect participants' account balances and the
amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits With
Fund Information.
Vesting
All participant and employing company contributions vest immediately.
Participant Loans (Whole Dollars)
Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to
the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of their before-tax account balances as
defined by the Plan document and any amounts rolled over to the Plan from
other qualified plans. Loan balances are secured by the assets allocated to
the participant's accounts and bear interest at various rates which ranged
from 7.0% to 11.0% at December 31, 1998. Principal and interest are paid
ratably through periodic payroll deductions for active employees and by coupon
for nonactive employees.
Service Provider
During 1998, Bankers Trust Company served as the Trustee for the Master
Savings Trust and, through December 31, 1997, also served as the recordkeeper
and service center provider for the Plan. Effective January 1, 1998,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company became the recordkeeper and service center
provider for the Plan. Beginning May 1, 1999, State Street Bank & Trust
Company will serve as the Trustee for the Master Savings Trust.
2. Accounting Policies
The financial statements of the Plan have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Such financial statements include
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the amounts
of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
With respect to the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits with
Fund Information for the years presented, allocated share of Trust net assets
includes investments at fair value, accrued interest income, accrued
dividends, receivables for investments sold, payables for investments
purchased and accrued administrative expenses of the Master Savings Trust.
With respect to the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for
Benefits with Fund Information for the years presented, allocated share of
Trust investment activities includes the sum of realized gains, net of
realized losses, the net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on
the fair value of the investments,
15
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
2. Accounting Policies--(continued)
interest income, dividends, investment manager fees and other administrative
fees paid by the Master Savings Trust.
The values of investments in the Master Savings Trust are determined as
follows:
. Shares of BellSouth Common Stock and equity securities underlying the
Indexed Stock Fund are valued on the basis of the closing price per
share on December 31, 1998 and 1997 as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if no sales were made on that date, at the closing price on
the next preceding day on which sales were made;
. The values of mutual funds, all of which are traded on a national
securities exchange, are based on published daily closing net asset
values as reported by the respective securities exchanges;
. Over-the-counter securities and government obligations are valued based
on the bid prices on December 31, 1998 and 1997 from published sources
where available and, if not available, from other sources considered
reliable; and
. Contracts with insurance companies are valued at principal plus
reinvested interest.
Purchases and sales of securities are reflected as of the trade date.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the
basis of average cost.
Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest earned on
investments is recognized on the accrual basis.
3. Units of the Plan
Participants in the Plan can direct their contributions among 11 investment
options as described in Note 1. The interests of participants in each type of
investment of the Plan are represented by units as described in Section 8 of
the Plan document. Unit values are based on a beginning value of $1.00 as of
January 1, 1994 and are adjusted based on the performance of the underlying
investments and the expense of the Plan in each period.
The number and value of units for investments, other than mutual funds, as
of December 31, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:
December 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------------------------ ------------------------------
Type of Investment Number of Units Value per Unit Number of Units Value per Unit
------------------ --------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
BellSouth Stock Fund.... 574,773,525 $3.9143 515,367,597 $2.2379
Indexed Stock Fund...... 375,564,133 2.9385 454,449,668 2.2833
Interest Income Fund.... 658,510,205 1.3814 689,444,667 1.2978
Bond Fund............... 84,288,469 1.4203 84,282,694 1.3023
Balanced Fund........... 54,433,387 2.0944 60,582,302 1.7313
The number and value of units by quarter for each investment, other than
mutual funds, during 1998 were as follows:
BellSouth Stock Fund Indexed Stock Fund
-------------------- --------------------
Number of Value Number of Value
1998 Units per Unit Units per Unit
---- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
March................................. 508,094,922 $2.6895 441,452,660 $2.6008
June.................................. 552,726,031 2.6744 424,700,376 2.6869
September............................. 488,040,949 2.9872 413,054,316 2.4218
December.............................. 574,773,525 3.9143 375,564,133 2.9385
16
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
3. Units of the Plan--(continued)
Interest Income Fund Bond Fund
-------------------- -------------------
Number of Value Number of Value
1998 Units per Unit Units per Unit
---- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
March.................................. 686,305,089 $1.3184 85,052,962 $1.3200
June................................... 620,164,446 1.3393 80,856,278 1.3490
September.............................. 776,549,579 1.3606 88,445,271 1.4262
December............................... 658,510,205 1.3814 84,288,469 1.4203
Balanced Fund
--------------------
Number of Value
1998 Units per Unit
---- ----------- --------
March.................................. 60,059,699 $1.8732
June................................... 57,665,192 1.9298
September.............................. 55,733,747 1.8775
December............................... 54,433,387 2.0944
The values of mutual funds, all of which are traded on a national securities
exchange, are based on published daily closing net asset values as reported by
the respective securities exchanges.
At December 31, 1998, the number of participants currently enrolled within
the Plan by investment direction as described in Section 7 of the Plan
document was as follows:
Number of
Fund Description Participants
---------------- ------------
Entirely in BellSouth Stock Fund............................... 3,921
Entirely in Indexed Stock Fund................................. 2,036
Entirely in Interest Income Fund............................... 1,467
Equally in BellSouth Stock Fund and Indexed Stock Fund......... 1,208
Equally in BellSouth Stock Fund and Interest Income Fund....... 627
Equally in Indexed Stock Fund and Interest Income Fund......... 355
Equally in Indexed Stock Fund and Fidelity Growth & Income
Portfolio..................................................... 334
Various fund combinations*..................................... 13,594
------
Total Participants........................................... 23,542
======
--------
* Includes all other investment directions, each having less than 1% of
participants.
4. Contributions
Employee contributions to the Plan are recorded based on basic contributions
of up to 6% and, for those participants wishing to contribute additional
amounts, supplemental contributions of up to 9%, such that total contributions
may not exceed 15% of compensation. Contributions are designated by the
participants as before-tax or after-tax, subject to certain IRS limitations on
before-tax contributions.
As discussed in Section 3 of the Plan document, participants may also
rollover amounts into the Plan from other qualified plans.
17
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
4. Contributions--(continued)
The employing company makes matching contributions to the ESOP in respect of
each participant's authorized basic contributions. Employing company matching
contributions vest immediately. The rate of the employing company matching
contributions remains in effect for a twelve-month period from April 1 through
March 31. The employing company matches 100% of a participant's first 2% of
basic contributions. Basic contributions in excess of 2% are matched at a rate
that varies from company to company. The range of matching rates for basic
contributions in excess of 2% for the three years ended December 31, 1998 were
as follows:
1998 1997 1996
---------- --------- ---------
January-March.................................... 25% - 85% 25% - 75% 25% - 74%
April-December................................... 25% - 100% 25% - 85% 25% - 75%
5. Plan Expenses
Each participant in the Plan is charged a flat annual fee for Plan
administrative expenses, including recordkeeping, trustee and other expenses
considered reasonable by the Plan administrator. The fee is divided on a pro
rata basis among each investment option of the participant. The per-
participant fee for 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $33.00, $30.00 and $26.40,
respectively. Additional fees are also charged to individual participants for
various services provided by the Plan's recordkeeper and the BellSouth
Participant Service Center.
Investment manager fees are paid by the Master Savings Trust. Investment
manager fees, included in allocated share of Trust investment activities in
the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund
Information for the years presented, were as follows:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
--------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------
Indexed Stock Fund.......................................... $182 $ 190 $138
Interest Income Fund........................................ 363 426 346
Bond Fund................................................... 331 367 367
Balanced Fund............................................... 106 114 71
----- ------- -----
$982 $1,097 $922
===== ======= =====
For the mutual funds, investment manager fees are not paid directly from the
Master Savings Trust. However, these investments are subject to mutual fund
management fees which reduce the overall return of the respective mutual fund.
These fees, expressed as percentages of fund assets, which were assessed
against the mutual funds by their respective managers, were as follows:
For the Year
Ended
December 31,
-----------------
1998 1997 1996
----- ----- -----
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio............................ 0.71% 0.75% 0.74%
Vanguard Index Trust Growth Portfolio*........................ 0.20% 0.20% --
DFA U.S. 6-10 Value Portfolio II.............................. 0.45% 0.75% 0.85%
X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth*................................. 0.91% 1.04% --
DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund.............................. 0.39% 0.75% 0.82%
DFA International Value II Fund............................... 0.55% 0.75% 0.86%
Xxxxxx 100 Fund*.............................................. -- 1.41% 1.42%
American Century/Twentieth Century Growth Investors Fund*..... -- 1.00% 1.00%
--------
* During 1997, the X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth and the Vanguard Index Trust
Growth Portfolio replaced the Xxxxxx 100 Fund and the American
Century/Twentieth Century Growth Investors Fund. For additional information,
see Note 1.
18
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
5. Plan Expenses--(continued)
For the three years ended December 31, 1998, no fees were paid to investment
managers for management of the BellSouth Stock Fund.
6. Tax Status
The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed BellSouth by a
favorable determination letter dated April 14, 1998 that the Plan and related
Trust meet the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code and are exempt from
federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code.
As discussed in Note 1, the Plan has been amended subsequent to the
determination letter referred to above. BellSouth believes that the Plan, in
its current form, will maintain its tax exempt status. Therefore, no provision
for income taxes has been included in the Plan's financial statements.
The federal income tax effects on participants with respect to the Plan are
described in the SPD.
7. Termination Priorities
BellSouth intends to continue the Plan indefinitely but reserves the right
to terminate or amend it. In the event the Plan is terminated and if BellSouth
or its subsidiaries sponsor another defined contribution plan, the
participants may elect to have their units transferred to the other plan. If
BellSouth or its subsidiaries do not sponsor such a plan, the participants
would receive a lump-sum distribution of their units.
8. Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust
The assets of the Plan are held in the Master Savings Trust and are
commingled with the assets of the SSP. Prior to April 1, 1996, the Plan's
assets were also commingled with the assets of the RSP, which was merged with
and into the Plan on April 1, 1996.
The assets of the Master Savings Trust are allocated to the Plan based upon
the total of each individual plan participant's share of the Master Savings
Trust's assets. The Plan's allocated share of the total net assets of all
funds in the Master Savings Trust at December 31, 1998 and 1997 was 64.52177%
and 66.75389%, respectively. The Plan's allocated share of the net assets of
each fund in the Master Savings Trust at December 31, 1998 and 1997 were as
follows:
1998 1997
--------- ---------
BellSouth Stock Fund..................................... 52.01435% 49.71811%
Indexed Stock Fund....................................... 85.68681% 85.12677%
Interest Income Fund..................................... 73.61537% 71.88872%
Bond Fund................................................ 93.03495% 93.41432%
Balanced Fund............................................ 82.69798% 82.60366%
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio....................... 72.63523% 72.13917%
Vanguard Index Trust Growth Portfolio.................... 73.84212% 70.06610%
DFA U.S. 6-10 Value Portfolio II......................... 83.44243% 80.46464%
X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth............................. 80.18008% 78.53335%
DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund......................... 74.56399% 73.59767%
DFA International Value II Fund.......................... 87.97291% 87.09114%
Participant Loans........................................ 66.53608% 72.46246%
Other.................................................... 69.80486% 69.58087%
19
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
8. Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust--(continued)
The financial position of the Master Savings Trust at December 31, 1998 and
1997 was as follows:
1998 1997
---- ----
Assets:
Investments at value:
BellSouth Stock Fund:
Shares of BellSouth Common Stock#..................... $4,203,286 $2,284,295
Temporary cash investments............................ 129,190 28,464
Distributable shares ................................. 84 69
Indexed Stock Fund:
Equity Index Fund#.................................... 1,287,238 1,218,854
Temporary cash investments............................ 28 50
Interest Income Fund:
Contracts............................................. 1,197,686 1,180,628
Temporary cash investments............................ 92,759 61,963
Bond Fund:
Securities............................................ 144,785 113,050
Temporary cash investments............................ 2,555 2,791
Balanced Fund:
Securities............................................ 127,085 114,364
Temporary cash investments............................ 11,050 12,927
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio:
Securities............................................ 247,529 222,255
Temporary cash investments............................ 6 1
Vanguard Index Trust Growth Portfolio:
Securities............................................ 174,581 66,199
Temporary cash investments............................ 4 --
DFA U.S. 6-10 Value Portfolio II:
Securities............................................ 81,518 126,866
Temporary cash investments............................ -- 1
X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth:
Securities............................................ 71,251 51,856
Temporary cash investments............................ 1 1
DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund:
Securities............................................ 40,975 51,246
DFA International Value II Fund:
Securities............................................ 36,986 36,359
Temporary cash investments............................ 3 --
Participant Loans:
Loans to participants.................................. 89,430 83,956
Temporary cash investments............................. -- 99
Contribution Account+:
Temporary cash investments............................. 155 8,994
Distribution Account+:
Securities............................................. 1,075 --
Temporary cash investments............................. 8,496 10,006
Expense Account+:
Temporary cash investments............................. 2,524 1,456
Dividends and interest income receivable................ 2,206 2,236
Receivable for investments sold......................... 4,310 50,270
Other receivables....................................... 5,934 20,918
Variation margin receivable............................. -- 51
---------- ----------
7,962,730 5,750,225
Liabilities:
Payable for investments purchased....................... 115,408 67,167
Variation margin payable................................ 892 14
Administrative fees payable............................. 102 194
---------- ----------
Trust net assets (excluding ESOP Trusts)................ 7,846,328 5,682,850
20
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
8. Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust--(continued)
1998 1997
---- ----
Investment in ESOP Trusts:
Shares of BellSouth Common Stock allocated to partici-
pants#................................................ 2,333,414 1,245,401
Distributable shares................................... 107 77
Shares of BellSouth Common Stock held for future allo-
cation#............................................... 1,259,180 849,442
Temporary cash investments............................. 34,783 31,588
----------- ----------
Total investments...................................... 11,473,812 7,809,358
Liabilities:
Notes payable.......................................... 467,018 534,436
----------- ----------
Trust net assets....................................... $11,006,794 $7,274,922
=========== ==========
Investments at cost.................................... $ 6,453,240 $5,298,067
=========== ==========
--------
# Represents an individual investment which is 5% or more of the Net Assets of
the Master Savings Trust.
+ These accounts are included as "Other" in the accompanying financial
statements.
Distributions from the BellSouth Stock Fund and the ESOP Trusts that are
payable in shares of BellSouth Common Stock are separated from the "Shares of
BellSouth Common Stock" and "Shares of BellSouth Common Stock allocated to
participants" lines and reflected as "Distributable Shares" instead.
See Item 27a, BellSouth Master Savings Trust Schedule of Assets Held for
Investment Purposes.
Assets in the BellSouth Stock Fund, Bond Fund, Indexed Stock Fund, mutual
funds and some of the assets in the Balanced Fund are invested in securities
which fluctuate in market value, and the values of the units fluctuate daily.
Assets in the Interest Income Fund are invested in a number of contracts
with different interest rates and maturities issued by insurance companies and
other financial institutions. The value of the Interest Income Fund is based
upon the principal invested and the interest credited, and the value of the
units should increase as of the end of each day. Some of these contracts are
unsecured, general obligations of such companies. Their security is subject to
the ability of the insurance companies or other financial institutions to
repay their debts generally as they come due. Other contracts are backed
specifically by high quality, fixed income assets. Therefore, many of the new
investment contracts have the underlying assets held in a separate account of
an insurance company or in a trust fund. These assets are protected from the
general creditors of the contract issuer.
The contracts held by the Master Savings Trust in the Interest Income Fund
are considered fully benefit-responsive in accordance with AICPA Statement of
Position 94-4. A fully benefit-responsive investment contract provides a
liquidity guarantee by a financially responsible third party of principal and
previously accrued interest for liquidations, transfers, loans or hardship
withdrawals initiated by plan participants exercising their rights to
withdraw, borrow or transfer funds under the terms of the ongoing plan. The
fair value of these investment contracts as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 was
$1,197,686 and $1,180,628, respectively.
The crediting interest rate at December 31, 1998 and 1997 was 6.49% and
6.65%, respectively. The average yield for the years ended December 31, 1998
and 1997 was 6.13% and 6.64%, respectively. Interest rates are reset on a
semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis, whereby, such rates are reset to move
the current book value of these investments toward the projected future market
value over the life of the contract.
During 1990, the BellSouth Management Savings and Employee Stock Ownership
Plan Trust and the BellSouth Savings and Security ESOP Trust (the ESOP Trusts)
issued medium-term notes in the aggregate amount of $850 million to fund the
purchase of BellSouth Common Stock to be utilized at later dates to fulfill
match obligations. Shares purchased with such funds are released for
allocation to participant accounts based on a prescribed schedule coinciding
with payments on the ESOP notes.
21
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
8. Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust--(continued)
Assets held in the Master Savings Trust are generally unavailable to service
the ESOP debt; however, the notes are guaranteed by and are subject to direct
recourse against BellSouth. BellSouth contributes to the ESOP Trusts an amount
necessary, net of ESOP dividends and interest, to service the ESOP notes. Such
contributions are classified as Supplemental Contributions in the accompanying
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With Fund
Information. These contributions are subject to the claims of holders of debt
securities issued by the ESOP Trusts but are held at BellSouth and paid to the
ESOP Trusts twice yearly to fund, on a same day basis, required payments by
the ESOP Trusts on the notes. Such contributions would not remain in the ESOP
Trusts unless there was a default on the debt securities by the ESOP Trustee
after having received the required contributions from BellSouth. Therefore,
holders of the debt securities should not rely on the assets of the ESOP
Trusts in arriving at an investment decision with respect to the debt
securities.
In addition to Supplemental Contributions, BellSouth contributes amounts
necessary to purchase any additional shares required to meet the match
obligations after shares released by the ESOP Trusts have been used. Such
contributions are classified as Employing Company Contributions in the
accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With
Fund Information.
In lieu of receiving cash dividends earned on shares of BellSouth Common
Stock which have been allocated to participants from the ESOP Trusts,
participant accounts are credited with equivalent shares of BellSouth Common
Stock. Dividends on the related ESOP shares are transferred to the Unallocated
ESOP Fund and are applied towards the service of the ESOP notes. The transfer
of these earnings is classified as Transfer for Loan Repayment in the
accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits With
Fund Information.
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, BellSouth made cash
contributions to the ESOP Trusts in the amount of $71,857, $68,393 and
$67,621, respectively, for the purpose of servicing the guaranteed debt and
cash contributions in the amount of $8,322, $21,675 and $23,539, respectively,
to purchase additional shares to meet the match obligations.
A description of each debt issue is as follows:
BellSouth Management Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust:
Title Amount Interest Rate Due Date
----- -------- ------------- ------------
Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A...... $275,000 9.125% July 1, 2003
Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A...... $275,000 9.19% July 1, 2003
--------
Total..................................... $550,000
========
BellSouth Savings and Security ESOP Trust:
Title Amount Interest Rate Due Date
----- -------- ------------- ------------
Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A...... $300,000 9.125% July 1, 2003
Maturities of the ESOP Trusts' long-term debt outstanding at December 31,
1998 were as follows:
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total
------- ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Maturities................... $75,589 $84,470 $94,128 $104,648 $108,183 $467,018
======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ========
22
BELLSOUTH RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Values and Per-Participant Amounts)
8. Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust--(continued)
Investment activities of the Master Savings Trust are allocated to the Plan
based upon the total of each individual Plan participant's share of the Master
Savings Trust investment activities during the period ended December 31, 1998.
The Master Savings Trust investment activities for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
---------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------
Investment Activities:
Dividends on shares of BellSouth Common
Stock..................................... $ 110,822 $ 117,861 $ 129,554
Interest Income Fund income................ 78,395 77,381 69,519
Other interest............................. 46,717 38,778 25,723
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/(depreciation) on
investments............................... 2,617,133 689,077 (237,602)
Net realized gain on investments........... 1,161,504 991,088 153,494
Investment manager fees.................... (1,198) (1,308) (1,143)
Other fees................................. (3,262) (2,960) (2,035)
---------- ---------- ---------
Net investment activities................... $4,010,111 $1,909,917 $ 137,510
========== ========== =========
23
BELLSOUTH MASTER SAVINGS TRUST
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00-0000000
ITEM 27a--SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES
(In Thousands)
December 31, 1998
-------------------------------
Number of
Shares or
Principal Carrying
Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Amount Cost Value
--------------------------------- --------- ---------- ----------
BELLSOUTH STOCK FUND
Shares of BellSouth common stock*#--97.0%.......... 84,278 $2,214,809 $4,203,370
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--3.0%................... 60,757 $ 129,141 $ 129,190
---------- ----------
Total BellSouth Stock Fund--100.0%............... $2,343,950 $4,332,560
---------- ----------
INDEXED STOCK FUND
Bankers Trust Pyramid Equity Index Fund*#--99.9%... 441 $ 894,758 $1,287,238
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--0.1%................... 13 $ 27 $ 28
---------- ----------
Total Indexed Stock Fund--100.0%............... $ 894,785 $1,287,266
---------- ----------
INTEREST INCOME FUND
Annuity Contracts with Insurance Companies+--92.8%
Aetna Life Insurance Company
(6.97%).......................................... $ 50,669 $ 50,669 $ 50,669
Allstate Life Insurance
(6.39%).......................................... $ 71,544 $ 71,544 $ 71,544
Bankers Trust
(7.15%).......................................... $119,672 $ 119,672 $ 119,672
CDC Investment
(5.85%-7.61%).................................... $127,649 $ 127,649 $ 127,649
Continental Assurance
(5.57%-5.96%).................................... $108,039 $ 108,039 $ 108,039
Xxxxxxx National Life
(6.21%).......................................... $ 50,958 $ 50,958 $ 50,958
Xxxx Xxxxxxx Mutual Life
(4.45%-6.87%).................................... $192,027 $ 192,027 $ 192,027
MBL Life Assurance Corp.
(5.10%-9.75%).................................... $ 3,949 $ 3,949 $ 3,949
Massachusetts Mutual
(6.18%-6.81%).................................... $ 24,738 $ 24,738 $ 24,738
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
(5.79%-6.20%).................................... $ 64,523 $ 64,523 $ 64,523
Monumental Life Insurance Co.
(5.55%-6.79%).................................... $131,404 $ 131,404 $ 131,404
New York Life Insurance Co.
(5.62%-6.80%).................................... $ 25,451 $ 25,451 $ 25,451
Prudential Insurance Company of America
(8.23%-9.95%).................................... $ 8,607 $ 8,607 $ 8,607
Rabobank Nederland
(6.23%-7.58%).................................... $ 86,163 $ 86,163 $ 86,163
State Street Bank & Trust
(4.42%).......................................... $ 10,122 $ 10,122 $ 10,122
Sun Life Association, Canada
(5.78%).......................................... $ 6,615 $ 6,615 $ 6,615
TransAmerican Life & Annuity
(6.41%-6.70%).................................... $ 75,423 $ 75,423 $ 75,423
United Bank of Switzerland
(7.38%-8.30%).................................... $ 40,133 $ 40,133 $ 40,133
---------- ----------
$1,197,686 $1,197,686
---------- ----------
S-1
BELLSOUTH MASTER SAVINGS TRUST
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00-0000000
ITEM 27a--SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES--(Continued)
(In Thousands)
December 31, 1998
-------------------------------
Number of
Shares or
Principal Carrying
Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Amount Cost Value
--------------------------------- --------- ---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--7.2%
IBM Commercial Paper, 01/04/99.................. $10,000 $ 9,992 $ 9,992
BT Pyramid Directed Cash Fund*.................. 82,767 $ 82,767 $ 82,767
---------- ----------
$ 92,759 $ 92,759
---------- ----------
Total Interest Income Fund--100.0%............. $1,290,445 $1,290,445
---------- ----------
BOND FUND
U.S. Government Treasury Notes--9.9%
U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.625%, 07/15/02........... $ 3,000 $ 3,016 $ 3,049
U.S. Treasury Notes, 7.500%, 02/15/05........... $10,000 $ 11,419 $ 11,450
---------- ----------
$ 14,435 $ 14,499
---------- ----------
U.S. Government Treasury Bonds--15.7%
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 8.750%, 05/15/17.......... $ 1,000 $ 1,404 $ 1,391
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 8.875%, 02/15/19.......... $ 500 $ 717 $ 712
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 11.125%, 08/15/03.......... $ 4,450 $ 5,619 $ 5,616
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 11.625%, 11/15/04.......... $ 600 $ 799 $ 808
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 12.000%, 08/15/13.......... $ 9,600 $ 14,531 $ 14,657
---------- ----------
$ 23,070 $ 23,184
---------- ----------
Other U.S. Government--2.5%
Stripped U.S. Treasury Bonds, 8.750%, 05/15/17.. $10,100 $ 3,541 $ 3,670
---------- ----------
$ 3,541 $ 3,670
---------- ----------
Federal Agency Obligations--6.7%
Government Natl. Mtg. Assn., 6.500%, 12/20/28... $ 5,000 $ 4,802 $ 4,816
U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs, 6.500%, 05/15/25... $ 5,000 $ 5,039 $ 5,070
---------- ----------
$ 9,841 $ 9,886
---------- ----------
Other Federal Agencies--7.7%
F.H.L.M. Corp., 02/15/27........................ $11,104 $ 11,177 $ 11,149
F.H.L. Banks Discount Note, 01/20/99............ $ 200 $ 199 $ 200
---------- ----------
$ 11,376 $ 11,349
---------- ----------
S-2
BELLSOUTH MASTER SAVINGS TRUST
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00-0000000
ITEM 27a--SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES--(Continued)
(In Thousands)
December 31, 1998
---------------------------
Number of
Shares or
Principal Carrying
Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Amount Cost Value
--------------------------------- --------- -------- --------
Domestic Corporate Obligations--55.8%
Associates Corp. North Amer.
5.750%, 11/01/03................................... $ 5,000 $ 4,998 $ 5,045
Chrysler Finl. Corp.
6.52%, 07/21/99.................................... $ 200 $ 202 $ 201
Chrysler Finl. Corp.
9.5%, 12/15/99..................................... $ 900 $ 967 $ 935
Citicorp Mtg. Secs Inc.
6.500%, 11/25/27................................... $10,000 $ 10,050 $ 10,078
Columbia/HCA
6.500%, 03/15/99................................... $ 600 $ 601 $ 599
Ford Motor Credit Company
7.750%, 11/15/02................................... $ 5,000 $ 5,317 $ 5,385
General Mtrs. Accept. Corp.
5.750%, 11/10/03................................... $ 5,000 $ 4,981 $ 5,039
General Mtrs. Accept. Corp.
6.750%, 02/07/02................................... $ 6,000 $ 6,134 $ 6,215
Norwest Asset Secs Corp.
6.750%, 05/25/28................................... $ 8,000 $ 7,813 $ 7,912
Philadelphia Elec. Co.
5.625%, 11/01/01................................... $ 5,000 $ 4,938 $ 5,002
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
7.250%, 01/15/03................................... $ 300 $ 311 $ 318
Residential Fdg. Mtg. Secs I Inc.
7.000%, 11/25/27................................... $ 5,000 $ 5,052 $ 5,086
Residential Fdg. Mtg. Secs I Inc.
7.500%, 04/25/27................................... $ 6,394 $ 6,510 $ 6,546
Texas Utilities
9.50%, 08/01/99.................................... $ 600 $ 637 $ 613
Union Oil
7.24%, 04/01/99 ................................... $ 1,600 $ 1,635 $ 1,610
Union Pac. Corp.
6.250%, 03/15/99................................... $ 2,600 $ 2,607 $ 2,603
United Telecommunications Inc.
9.440%, 08/15/01................................... $10,000 $ 10,932 $ 10,911
USA Waste Svcs. Inc.
6.125%, 07/15/01................................... $ 3,000 $ 2,994 $ 3,019
Worldcom Inc. GA
6.125%, 08/15/01................................... $ 5,000 $ 4,995 $ 5,080
-------- --------
$ 81,674 $ 82,197
-------- --------
Temporary Cash Investments--1.7%
General Electric Cap. Corp. Comm. Paper, 01/29/99... $ 1,100 $ 1,095 $ 1,095
Bankers Trust Pyramid Cash Plus*.................... 686 $ 1,458 $ 1,460
-------- --------
$ 2,553 $ 2,555
-------- --------
Total Bond Fund--100.0%............................ $146,490 $147,340
-------- --------
S-3
BELLSOUTH MASTER SAVINGS TRUST
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00-0000000
ITEM 27a--SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES--(Continued)
(In Thousands)
December 31, 1998
-------------------------------
Number of
Shares or
Principal Carrying
Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Amount Cost Value
--------------------------------- --------- ---------- ----------
BALANCED FUND
BT Equity Index Fund*--56.2%................................ 27 $ 52,637 $ 77,664
---------- ----------
BT Broad Market Fixed Income Fund*--35.5%................... 22,325 $ 39,064 $ 48,973
---------- ----------
U.S. Treasury Xxxx, Exp. 01/07/99--0.3%..................... $ 470 $ 448 $ 448
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--8.0%............................ 5,197 $ 10,884 $ 11,050
---------- ----------
Total Balanced Fund--100.0%............................... $ 103,033 $ 138,135
---------- ----------
FIDELITY GROWTH & INCOME PORTFOLIO
Shares of Fidelity Secs. Growth & Income Com. Stk.--99.9%... 5,400 $ 183,847 $ 247,529
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--0.1%............................ 3 $ 5 $ 6
---------- ----------
Total Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio--100.0%.......... $ 183,852 $ 247,535
---------- ----------
VANGUARD INDEX TRUST GROWTH PORTFOLIO
Shares of Vanguard Index--99.9%............................. 5,513 $ 140,738 $ 174,581
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--0.1%............................ 2 $ 4 $ 4
---------- ----------
Total Vanguard Index Trust Growth Portfolio--100.0%....... $ 140,742 $ 174,585
---------- ----------
DFA U.S. 6-10 VALUE PORTFOLIO II
Shares of Dimensional Invt Grp Small Cap Val. Com. Stk.--
100.0%..................................................... 5,370 $ 86,079 $ 81,518
---------- ----------
Total DFA U.S. 6-10 Value Portfolio II--100.0%............ $ 86,079 $ 81,518
---------- ----------
X. XXXX PRICE MID-CAP GROWTH
Shares of X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth--99.9%............... 2,091 $ 61,179 $ 71,251
---------- ----------
Temporary Cash Investments--0.1%............................ 1 $ 1 $ 1
---------- ----------
Total X. Xxxx Price Mid-Cap Growth--100.0%................ $ 61,180 $ 71,252
---------- ----------
DFA U.S. LARGE CAP VALUE II FUND
Shares of Dimensional Invt Grp Inc Lrge Cap Val. Com. Stk.--
100.0%..................................................... 2,198 $ 35,542 $ 40,975
---------- ----------
Total DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund--100.0%............ $ 35,542 $ 40,975
---------- ----------
S-4
BELLSOUTH MASTER SAVINGS TRUST
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 00-0000000
ITEM 27a--SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES--(Continued)
(In Thousands)
December 31, 1998
--------------------------------
Number of
Shares or
Principal Carrying
Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Amount Cost Value
--------------------------------- --------- ---------- -----------
DFA INTERNATIONAL VALUE II FUND
Shares of Dimensional Invt Grp Intl Com. Stk.--
99.9%.......................................... 3,242 $ 35,870 $ 36,986
---------- -----------
Temporary Cash Investments--0.1%................ 1 $ 3 $ 3
---------- -----------
Total DFA International Value II Fund--100.0%. $ 35,873 $ 36,989
---------- -----------
PARTICIPANT LOANS
Loans to Participants (7.0%-11.0%)--100.0%...... $89,430 $ 89,430 $ 89,430
---------- -----------
Total Loan Fund--100.0%....................... $ 89,430 $ 89,430
---------- -----------
CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT++
Temporary Cash Investments--100.0%.............. 73 $ 155 $ 155
---------- -----------
Total Contribution Acct.--100.0%.............. $ 155 $ 155
---------- -----------
DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT++
Shares of BellSouth Common Stock*--11.2%........ 22 $ 347 $ 1,075
---------- -----------
Temporary Cash Investments--88.8%............... 3,996 $ 8,488 $ 8,496
---------- -----------
Total Distribution Acct.--100.0%.............. $ 8,835 $ 9,571
---------- -----------
EXPENSE ACCOUNT++
Temporary Cash Investments--100.0%.............. 1,187 $ 2,473 $ 2,524
---------- -----------
Total Expense Acct.--100.0%................... $ 2,473 $ 2,524
---------- -----------
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
Shares of BellSouth Common Stock*#--99.0%....... 72,036 $ 996,178 $ 3,592,701
---------- -----------
Temporary Cash Investments--1.0%................ 16,358 $ 34,198 $ 34,783
---------- -----------
Total Employee Stock Ownership Fund--100.0%... $1,030,376 $ 3,627,484
---------- -----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS............................. $6,453,240 $11,577,764
========== ===========
--------
NOTES
Percentages represent the percentage of the investments of each fund of the
Master Savings Trust.
* This investment is a security issued by a party-in-interest to the Plan.
# Represents an individual investment which is 5% or more of the Net Assets
of the Master Savings Trust.
+ The contracts with these insurance companies (interest rates indicated in
parentheses) guarantee the repayment of principal and the crediting of
interest resulting in a composite effective annual interest rate of 6.13%
for the year 1998. The timing of the remittance of participating employee
contributions and other participating employee-directed transactions may
cause the actual yield to vary from this rate. The composite interest rate
is subject to annual adjustment.
++ These accounts are included as "Other" in the Plan's Financial Statements.
S-5